Irrespective of whether you are hoping to conceive a baby by natural means or through fertility treatment such as IVF or otherwise, there are plenty of things you can do to improve the likelihood of becoming pregnant and giving birth to a healthy baby. If you haven’t already, it’s important to take a trip to your GP for a full check-up, including your sexual health, because certain illnesses and STIs can lead to infertility. If you have any concerns, you can flag them to your GP during your appointment and they will be able to advise you accordingly.
It goes without saying that if you are currently a smoker, it is absolutely crucial that you quit smoking as soon as you can. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it. It’s also very wise to avoid alcohol both before and, especially, during your pregnancy. Essentially, cigarettes and alcohol can reduce your ability to conceive naturally and may even have a harmful effect on your unborn child. There are various different medications you should avoid during pregnancy, which your GP will warn you over during your preliminary check-up.
You may have to make some changes to your diet, especially if you’re used to fat-filled foods and unhealthy snacks. Unfortunately, if you are overweight whilst pregnant, you may start to suffer with various different issues, from high blood pressure to pregnancy diabetes.
Consequently, you may experience the worst-case scenario - a miscarriage. With this in mind, it would be a good idea for you to incorporate a wider variety of nutritious foods into your meals and try and reduce your intake of things like caffeine. Again, your doctor will be able to give you further advice about the types of foods you should dodge and the types of foods you should have more of. Remember though, being underweight can also cause problems for you with regards to your fertility and pregnancy.
If you have had cancer in the past, it might, unfortunately, have become impossible for you to conceive a baby naturally due to the treatment involved, as you are probably already aware. Your doctor will be able to give you more information on this. If your treatment has not yet begun, you may want to think about freezing your eggs so that you can preserve your fertility.
Until next time,
Jada x
